Summer is almost over, but work is continuing at Clearwater city parks.

 

A sprinkler system and new sod was recently installed at the ballfield at Sportsman’s Park, and more work is being done at home plate and the pitcher’s mound.

 

The city is waiting for the delivery of the new Versacourt surface for the tennis courts at Lions Park. Administrator Kevin Kress said it should be delivered in about two weeks. The free-floating plastic tile surface will be installed on top of the existing courts.

 

Tuesday, the Clearwater Park Commission met to talk about improvements to other city parks.

 

Earlier this year the city council approved the expenditure of up to $350,000 in sales tax money for a new playground area at Eldorado Park. That equipment should be ready for instalation soon, with the finish time near the end of November.

 

The Clearwater maintenance crew should be working on the concrete perimeter for the playground area in about two weeks, said Kress.

 

Since that equipment came in under budget, the park commission suggested using some of the extra funds to add more park benches around the playground. Benches cost between $300 and $500 each.

 

Commission member Josh Neubert also suggested having the maintenance crew pour the foundation for a small pavilion, which is already part of the park plan.

 

Commission Chair Rich Petty suggested adding language in the agreement with the playground equipment installers setting a late fee. If they don’t have the equipment installed by a specific date, they would be charged a fee.

 

“What’s the point of having a deadline?” he asked. “Every day late it’s not installed there would be X- number of dollars penalty.”

 

Commission Member Vern Scott said that was an issue with the playground installation at Lions Park last summer that took much longer than anticipated. 

 

Another idea for this winter is the inclusion of a temporary skating area for the community. A hockey rink is already on the plans for the park. But commission members agreed it would be a good idea to build a small berm in the proposed rink area that can be flooded for ice skating this winter.

 

The commission also discussed adding Gaga ball pits in the park. Gaga ball is an activity similar to dodge ball, only it is played in an octagonal “rink”. Some pits are made of wood, like a hockey rink.

 

Others are portable netting, like in volleyball. Commission members felt it would offer kids another activity at not much cost to the city. 

 

Members also decided to recommend changing the name of Eldorado Park to Clearwater Community Park. Neubert said one idea suggested by member Andrea Lawrence was eventually adding a community garden at the park.

 

“Being that we’re not going to put that other athletic field in any time soon, we could maybe turn that into a community garden,” he said.

 

He said Community Park is a way for the entire community to feel welcome there.

 

“It’s everybody’s park,” he said.

 

Kress said he would bring the recommendation to the city council.